The Best of African Folklore
Registered by rem_XGD-219596 on 11/26/2004
12 journalers for this copy...
From Cover:
"Africa has a wonderfully rich store of folk tales that have been passed down from generation to generation. There are stories of how the world came into being, stories that tell of relationships between human beings, and between man and his environment, and of the lessons to be learnt from everyday experience. The tales are like the fairy tales told all over the world, but they have a strong African flavour that is as real as the smell of rain on hot earth.
These tales take the reader into an enchanted world where animals can talk and humans are often changed into different forms, magic is commonplace and reality is turned delightfully on its head. Despite numerous setbacks, things usually turn out right in the end. Wicked and greedy people (and animals) come off worst and the good receive their just rewards. The gods are stern but fair, and every story has a moral for those who are wise enough to see it.
Phyllis Savoury's collection of 39 stories is drawn from all parts of Southern Africa and further afield. Illustrated with vivid sepia drawings, it will delight adults as well as children. True to the spirit of African stories, the tales are especially suitable for reading out aloud."
I found the stories indeed "delightful" and for anybody who's been to Africa they will bring back the feel and the memories. They are not exactly exciting, more like what we would call "fables", but open up a colourful exotic world of fairy tale type fantasy... I could imagine that they would also make unusual but good bedtime reading for kids. - coolboxuk
"Africa has a wonderfully rich store of folk tales that have been passed down from generation to generation. There are stories of how the world came into being, stories that tell of relationships between human beings, and between man and his environment, and of the lessons to be learnt from everyday experience. The tales are like the fairy tales told all over the world, but they have a strong African flavour that is as real as the smell of rain on hot earth.
These tales take the reader into an enchanted world where animals can talk and humans are often changed into different forms, magic is commonplace and reality is turned delightfully on its head. Despite numerous setbacks, things usually turn out right in the end. Wicked and greedy people (and animals) come off worst and the good receive their just rewards. The gods are stern but fair, and every story has a moral for those who are wise enough to see it.
Phyllis Savoury's collection of 39 stories is drawn from all parts of Southern Africa and further afield. Illustrated with vivid sepia drawings, it will delight adults as well as children. True to the spirit of African stories, the tales are especially suitable for reading out aloud."
I found the stories indeed "delightful" and for anybody who's been to Africa they will bring back the feel and the memories. They are not exactly exciting, more like what we would call "fables", but open up a colourful exotic world of fairy tale type fantasy... I could imagine that they would also make unusual but good bedtime reading for kids. - coolboxuk
Ray now open:
- perfect-circle
- nyassa
- amanida
- spike1972
- perfect-circle
- nyassa
- amanida
- spike1972
Journal Entry 3 by perfect-circle from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 1, 2004
arrived today, thanks coolboxuk
Journal Entry 4 by perfect-circle from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Friday, December 3, 2004
These are some great stories, some not too dissimiliar to the fairytales we are told as kids. Thanks coolboxuk, will post to nyassa over the weekend.
Arrived safely today, thank you. I'm looking forward to this.
It was lovely to read these stories which brought me right back to my childhood in Malawi. Thank you coolboxuk for starting this ray.
Just got back from holidays to find this waiting for me! TBR soon.
These are stories to be read one at a time and not raced through. It's interesting to see the same themes in the stories from different places - the same characteristics & personalities for the animals and the changing of human beings into animals and vice versa.
I enjoyed it very much. Now off to Spike 1972.
I enjoyed it very much. Now off to Spike 1972.
Received safely in the post. Thank you ;o)
Given the size of this book - i.e. not very big/long - I suppose I should have read it and passed it on way before now, so apologies for that.
Anyway, this is just to say that I should be finishing my current read in the next couple of days, and then this book is next on my "reading list".
Anyway, this is just to say that I should be finishing my current read in the next couple of days, and then this book is next on my "reading list".
Oopsy, sorry but I finished this book a couple of days ago...
Anyway, I wanted to say that I enjoyed this book and learning about these stories and getting a bit of an insight to some of the Cultures in Africa. I also thought some of the illustrations were beautiful.
Thank you coolboxuk for the chance to read this.
I believe I'm at the end of this Ray so I'll mark this as AVL now unless I'm told otherwise.
Anyway, I wanted to say that I enjoyed this book and learning about these stories and getting a bit of an insight to some of the Cultures in Africa. I also thought some of the illustrations were beautiful.
Thank you coolboxuk for the chance to read this.
I believe I'm at the end of this Ray so I'll mark this as AVL now unless I'm told otherwise.
This is going out as a Bookray.
Order of postage subject to change.:
dolph1n (UK)
AnglersRest (UK)
wilksie (UK)
IoJima (France)
-Psyche- (USA)
booklady331 (USA)
Sirah (Finland)
And then back to dolph1n as she's requested to keep it as part of her PC :o)
Order of postage subject to change.:
dolph1n (UK)
AnglersRest (UK)
wilksie (UK)
IoJima (France)
-Psyche- (USA)
booklady331 (USA)
Sirah (Finland)
And then back to dolph1n as she's requested to keep it as part of her PC :o)
Posted today to dolph1n
I received this today from Spike, thanks. I read the first story as soon as I got it. I will probably read some of them to my grand-children.
I am so sorry that I have kept this for so long. I forgot that it was a ray and thought it was mine to keep. We love the stories, they are wonderful and it has been great to have a taste of Africa. I will pass it on as soon as I have an address.
Waiting for me when I returned from Leeds. I've already read the first story, so this one should be moving within a few weeks. Thanks for sending.
Sorry for holding up the ring further, Just to PM wilksie for an address.
I now have the address for Wilksie, so in the post tomorrow, Ironically, I leave for Leeds tomorrow, which means I have had the book 6 weeks, sincere apologies!
A delightful collection of stories along with lovely illustrations.
A delightful collection of stories along with lovely illustrations.
Arrived yesterday - thanks AnglersRest, sorry not to journal it straight away.
Looking forward to reading it :-)
Looking forward to reading it :-)
Journal Entry 20 by wilksie from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 25, 2007
These were charming stories that I enjoyed reading.
Nice to read fables with such exotic animals too - I would have loved this when I was a child :-)
I just have to check Iojima's address and I'll post it on.
Nice to read fables with such exotic animals too - I would have loved this when I was a child :-)
I just have to check Iojima's address and I'll post it on.
Received yesterday and it's next in line.
So, sorry! This fell down to the bottom of the pile, but have PM'd -Psyche- for her address.
I enjoyed this and, in particular, the "Cinderella" story.
I enjoyed this and, in particular, the "Cinderella" story.
-Psyche- asks to be skipped. Contacting Booklady331.
YEA!!! it finally arrived. I will read it as soon as I finish my current book and mail it off. Thank you for including me.
Journal Entry 25 by 
booklady331
at U.S. Postal Mail in By Mail, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, February 2, 2008
booklady331 at U.S. Postal Mail in By Mail, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, February 2, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (2/2/2008 UTC) at U.S. Postal Mail in By Mail, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
It was enjoyable. Having been in Africa 2 years ago, I could visualize the settings.
RELEASE NOTES:
off to the next person in the ray
RELEASE NOTES:
off to the next person in the ray
The book has arrived safe and sound. Thanks, Booklady331!
Loved the stories, loved the illustrations and loved the sepia printing!!! A book worth of 10 points!
Received today, thanks to Sirah for sending it and many thanks to Spike for allowing me to keep it.
Journal Entry 29 by dolph1n at NSS Parcel Royal Mail, NSS Parcel! -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, March 28, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (3/23/2010 UTC) at NSS Parcel Royal Mail, NSS Parcel! -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Hope my NSSEBS partner enjoys this as much as I did.
Hope my NSSEBS partner enjoys this as much as I did.
I have read this many times and love it but I decided it was time to let it go again.
I liked to read what everyone else thought of this book. I'm going to share it at school soon because we are doing Kenya week when the headmaster of our twin school comes to visit.
